Located at the southern edge of the University of Wisconsin is a massive 1200 acre arboretum, open to the public year-round. There’s something for every outdoor enthusiast – 20 miles of hiking/biking trails, science research, a visitor’s center, large wooded areas, open prairie, cultivated gardens and even a “lost” city. The arboretum wraps itself around Lake Wingra, giving it plenty of shoreline to view waterfowl and to canoe around. There are numerous entrances for those on foot, though only one main road for cars. Parts of the Arboretum continue to the south of Highway 18, where you can pick up the Canonball Trail. Follow the Wingra Creek trail east to Olin Park and Lake Monona. Sadly, dogs not allowed. But if you do have your mutt along, the park merges into Vilas Park (next to the zoo) to the north of Lake Wingra.

UW-Madison Arboretum
1207 Seminole Highway
Madison, WI